Why do 16 year olds pay more for auto insurance?

Asked by: Mr. Shawn Ritchie  |  Last update: December 22, 2025
Score: 4.9/5 (41 votes)

A 16-year-old has less driving experience than an older driver, making them more likely to receive a moving violation or get into an auto accident. To protect themselves financially from this high risk, insurance companies set the premiums for young drivers at a higher rate.

Why is insurance so expensive for a 16 year old?

Insurance companies typically charge more to insure teen drivers because teens are new drivers and are a greater risk for getting into an accident. Drivers ages 16 to 19 have the highest rate of accidents among any age group in the United States. 1 As a result, auto insurers charge more to cover them.

At what age is car insurance most expensive?

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reports that teen drivers are four times more likely to get into a car crash than drivers 20 and older. As a result, car insurance companies view young drivers as the most risky to insure. Drivers ages 16 to 24 tend to face the highest premiums compared to other age groups.

What is the cheapest car insurance for a 16-year-old?

The cheapest car insurance for a 16-year-old is from Travelers, Geico, and USAA. These companies charge the average 16-year-old driver as little as $1,372 per year for minimum coverage, while the average car insurance company charges 16-year-olds around $2,534 per year.

What happens if I don't add my teenager to my car insurance?

Failing to add your teenager to your auto insurance can lead to coverage denial, legal penalties and policy cancellation. Lack of driving experience and perceived higher risk contribute to higher car premiums for teen drivers.

How to Get Cheaper Auto Insurance With a 16-Year-Old Boy : Auto Insurance FAQs

21 related questions found

At what age does your auto insurance go down?

Both male and female drivers see the biggest drop in average annual car insurance premiums between the ages of 18 and 19. This is because younger drivers are seen by most auto insurance companies as riskier to insure due to their overall inexperience behind the wheel.

Why do you think that 16-18-year-old drivers pay so much more for auto insurance?

As a result, drivers between age 16 and 19 have more vehicle crashes than drivers in any other age group. That's especially true for teenage boys. Until they turn 21, males generally pay 20% more than females for auto coverage—unless they live in a state like California which prohibits gender-based insurance rates.

Which gender pays more for car insurance?

On average, young men pay much more for car insurance than young women. This is because car insurance providers find men to be riskier drivers than women, especially when they are younger. When they are older, women start to pay slightly higher rates.

How much will my car insurance go up when I add my 16 year old?

Insure.com found that adding a teen driver increases car insurance rates by 70% to 150%.

How to get cheap insurance at 16?

7 Ways to Get Cheaper Teen Car Insurance
  1. No. 1: Choose a Safe Car. ...
  2. No. 2: Complete Driver's Education. ...
  3. No. 3: Get Good Grades. ...
  4. No. 4: Get on Your Parents' Policy. ...
  5. No. 5: Increase Your Deductible. ...
  6. No. 6: Keep a Clean Driving Record. ...
  7. No. 7: Don't Take Your Car to College.

What age is insurance cheapest?

Does car insurance become cheaper when you turn 25? On average, drivers will see their premiums begin to fall around age 25. This reflects the lower risk posed by drivers in their mid-20s as they gain driving experience and maturity, compared to a 17-year-old who has just passed their test.

How much should a 16 year old spend on a car?

The right amount to spend on a car for your teen will be different for you than for someone else. Experts recommend that your car expenses not exceed 20 percent of your take-home pay. That includes monthly payments, insurance, gas and maintenance.

Why 16 is the best age to drive?

However, at 16, students have more time on their hands to develop basic driving skills and can practice their driving anytime during the year, as opposed to waiting for breaks in college to continue driving and refining their skills.

Does age matter for car insurance?

Age is one of the most important factors in determining your car insurance rate. This may seem unfair because there are good drivers in every age group, but younger drivers are generally more likely to have accidents or take risks on the road.

What age are you kicked off car insurance?

Unlike health insurance, which can have an age limit of 26, you can stay on your parent's car insurance policy indefinitely if you live in the same house. Now, if you move out, you'll probably need your own.

How to get car insurance to go down?

If you're wondering how to get a lower car insurance rate, use these methods for lowering your premium:
  1. Qualify for insurance discounts. ...
  2. Increase your deductible. ...
  3. Reduce your coverage. ...
  4. Compare rates. ...
  5. Try usage-based insurance. ...
  6. Take a defensive driving course. ...
  7. Get a car that's cheaper to insure.

Does your insurance go up if your child gets their license?

Once the driver gets their license, the surcharge transfers over to them. So, while you don't need to make any changes to your insurance when your child gets a permit, you may still want to let your agent know so you can make sure you have adequate coverage.

Do my parents have to put me on their car insurance?

To have the ability to be covered by a vehicle insurance policy you must be added as an additional driver to the vehicle owners policy.

Can my son drive my car if he is not insured?

Most insurers cover someone else driving the policyholder's car with their permission once in a while. But, if you're going to start driving one of your parent's cars regularly, you'll need to be added or named on their auto insurance. You can't legally drive your parents' car without any insurance at all, either.

Can a 16 year old insure their own car?

As long as your child is driving a vehicle owned by you or someone else in your household, they should be added to your car insurance policy, as drivers under the age of 18 cannot typically purchase their own car insurance policy.

At what age will car insurance go down?

On average, auto insurance rates for 25-year-olds are cheaper than rates for younger drivers. Auto insurance premiums tend to decrease as you get older, until about age 75.